South Park sets ratings record with Trump episode

South Park has broken a 26-year-old ratings record with its controversial Season 27 premiere.

According to Paramount Global Reports, this was South Park's biggest cable premiere since 1999. The episode drew 5.9 million viewers across Paramount+ and Comedy Central in the three days.

South Park shot up to the top of JustWatch's US streaming charts, with a 638% increase in streams in the US and a 258% increase globally, compared to the last season's premiere.

The episode in question, Sermon on the Mount, depicted US President Trump in cartoon form, having a sexual relationship with Satan.

“This show hasn’t been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention,” said Spokesperson for The White House, Taylor Rodgers.

South Park co-creator Trey Parker addressed the controversy at San Diego's Comic Con, with a brief sarcastic comment.

"We're terribly sorry," he said with a deadpan stare.

The creators of the show recently extended their deal with Paramount Global for another 50 episodes. The entire series is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes airing first on Comedy Central.

It doesn't look like South Park are finished with Trump. The trailer for the next episode (airing on August 6), shows Trump attending a dinner, seated with Satan. A speaker in the background is heard praising President Trump for his courage, as he rubs Satan's leg under the table.

• You can check out the teaser for the new South Park episode below